NEW YORK, NY — Today, in response to the 2021 state budget, Raysa Rodriguez, associate executive director at the Citizens’ Committee for Children, a leading organization of the Family Homelessness Coalition, released the following statement:

“We thank Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for creating a rent relief program that directs billions of dollars in much needed federal aid towards keeping New Yorkers housed. These resources will protect families with children across the state from the trauma of eviction and homelessness as we begin to rebuild from this crisis. However, more must be done to ensure existing eviction prevention resources reach more New Yorkers, to provide long-term rental assistance for those who need it, and to ensure the thousands of women and children languishing in shelter are quickly moved into permanent housing with the support systems they need to reach long-term stability. Furthermore, we implore leaders in Albany to ensure the application for federal rent relief funds goes live as soon as possible so families get timely access to rent subsidies, ensuring New York’s children can grow up stably housed.”